Bellaire graduates new class from Citizens Fire Academy

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 31, 2005

The Bellaire Fire Departments Citizens Fire Academy graduated 10 new cadets last week, including the first teens to complete the training program.

Just a few months ago, Joey Cohrs and Allen Gardner were painting fire hydrants in the city as part of an Eagle Scout project. Now they proudly wear the fire-truck-red polo shirts that are the uniform of the citizens squad, which is an intensive, hands-on fire education program.

Cohrs dad was in the first graduating class, and he had so much fun, I wanted to try it, Joey said.

Because the boys were 17 and high school juniors, the department decided to give them a shot.

In 30 hours of training covering 11 weeks, cadets learn first aid and CPR for infants, children and adults, plus the Heimlich maneuver. They become familiar with the Fire Departments dispatch center, put on firefighters gear and experience a live burn what its like to be in the middle of a controlled fire. They feel what its like to handle a traditional hose and a newer, compressed air-powered model. They pull four-hour shifts in the firehouse, and most get to go on calls.##M:(full story)##

The academy was the brainchild of firefighter Deacon Tittel and the pet project of former Bellaire Fire Chief J.J. Bettega, who retired in February after 33 years with the department. Our main goal is to get fire education out there, Bettega said, and Ive never seen a program so effective at getting the word out. He said the program was designed by department personnel, who are responsible for running the academy.

It means some more firefighters out there, said current Chief Darryl Anderson. He told graduating cadets that their glimpses into a firefighters life are as valuable as the hands-on training seeing a profession where you spend more time together as a family than you do with your own family. You see those tough skins break down and see the tender hearts inside.

Anderson expressed a lot of respect and admiration for the graduates, adding, To give up 30 hours out of your busy lives tells me something about you.

For a time, the academys existence seemed threatened when the Bellaire City Council cut funding in this years budget, telling the organizers they should seek private support to keep the program operating. Local businesses came through, and this was the first class of 2005. Residents interested in participating in future programs should contact the department at 713-662-8202.